Recommendations for dressage trainer for opinionated eventer

IncaCola

IncaCola

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If you've seen my comp reports you might remember Tayberry who has just started advanced eventing and is the most incredible jumper and a clear round machine:) However our dressage lets us down as he gets so tight and strong at events and this spoils what could be a perfectly respectable test. i have a lovely trainer at my yard Sue Macmahon who has helped me a lot and plan to continue with her, but am considering this winter spending some money having some lessons with someone else and possibly a short intensive training course to get some new ideas. I am in North Gloucestershire and there are lots of trainers in the vicinity, but would really value any personal recommendations who would suit a 15.3hh pocket rocket working at advanced medium. I think someone who would be prepared to get on him might also help too. Determined to really crack it this winter so we can come out dazzling the judges at 3 star in 2014!!!
 
We love Islay Auty - she's based Worcester but will travel. You know that T's old pony was no dressage fan but she was brilliant with them - although she is a pure dressage trainer she is a jumper at heart and so has a very soft spot for the pingy double clear jumping machines who don't love the white boards ;) She also gives you loads of exercises to address specific issues, so it works going to her on a less regular basis as you have plenty of homework for in between sessions.

She is currently chairman of selectors for the British YR and Junior dressage squads and also has a lot of judging and examining commitments so getting in her diary isn't always easy but I would definitely give her a try (please mention that I suggested her if you do...)

ETA: little_pink_piggies (Martha) also goes to her and loves her :)
 
Wouldn't bother with Isla!!! If your in North Gloucestershire go to the best man in the business, Carl Hester, he owns event horses and has evented himself so understands your issues and does warm up the pros at 3 & 4 star! Also try peter storr in Broadway, he's been good with all my quirky problem horses! Mike Eilberg is also fab at sussing them put (might not have time, he's a busy one).
Stick Gloucestershire on the BD trainers database on the website if you want a bit cheaper!
These three have all got on mine or my friends to get a feel of things as well.
 
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If your training with sue, she knows most of them and should be able to make recommendations ( sorry meant to include that in the post above) doh!! iPhone!
 
noname said:
Wouldn't bother with Isla!!! If your in North Gloucestershire go to the best man in the business, Carl Hester, he owns event horses and has evented himself so understands your issues and does warm up the pros at 3 & 4 star! Also try peter storr in Broadway, he's been good with all my quirky problem horses! Mike Eilberg is also fab at sussing them put (might not have time, he's a busy one).
Stick Gloucestershire on the BD trainers database on the website if you want a bit cheaper!
These three have all got on mine or my friends to get a feel of things as well.
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Everyone's entitled to their opinion, of course :rolleyes:

By the same token, I personally wouldn't bother with Peter - much as I love him he doesn't have a great record with eventers (apart from Janine, obviously), he is INSANELY moody and also very busy these days eg currently on a lengthy tour of Oz and NZ, only just back from SA...

And I agree with the poster above, very difficult to get a lesson with Carl, although easier to get one with Charlotte - but my own experience of her is that it is fairly "My way or the highway" so might not suit your boy ;) If you want "Carl Light" how about Hayley Watson Greave who is trained by him?

Can't comment on Michael Eilberg or indeed Ferdi, who still trains Mary, but would absolutely love a lesson with either of them!
 
TableDancer said:
Everyone's entitled to their opinion, of course :rolleyes:

By the same token, I personally wouldn't bother with Peter - much as I love him he doesn't have a great record with eventers (apart from Janine, obviously), he is INSANELY moody and also very busy these days eg currently on a lengthy tour of Oz and NZ, only just back from SA...

And I agree with the poster above, very difficult to get a lesson with Carl, although easier to get one with Charlotte - but my own experience of her is that it is fairly "My way or the highway" so might not suit your boy ;) If you want "Carl Light" how about Hayley Watson Greave who is trained by him?

Can't comment on Michael Eilberg or indeed Ferdi, who still trains Mary, but would absolutely love a lesson with either of them!
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Oh no, I was thinking about trying Peter with my youngster next year, you've put me off now! He is only 5 mins from me so the increase in expense (I assume!) would have been offset by saving in fuel as I'm currently travelling 45 mins.

Most of the dressage trainers in Glos seem to train with Carl anyway so if that was what you were after there are plenty of people to consider. AM dressage always seem to be well thought of too. Martin Schleicher is lovely and an excellent rider and trainer. He has previously evented to advanced and I think he's getting back into it a little bit but is more dressage these days. He has trained with Carl and in Holland and is German so was well trained on the flat in the first place ;-) I know that he also used to have a very, very tricky horse himself so quirky he can do!

I don't ride at anywhere near the level you are at but at least it's another suggestion to look into :-)
 
Tessa Thorne is excellent and trains a lot of eventers and is based near Tetbury I think. Chatter1 on here had lessons with her on her advanced event horse at the time and I know was very impressed by her.
 
True but I'm a lowly amateur and have had good lessons with Carl and Peter! Peter had no probs getting on my young horse and sorting the issue out! Peter gets very busy around pony trials but still manages to fit me in all year round! Carl taught me on my pony and I had no chance of doing an fei test, I'm not even British!

Wouldn't called the OP general public if they are doing 3* and adv medium either!!
 
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Thanks so much for all the replies. Lots of people to consider. To be honest as much as i obviously would love a lesson with Carl, i wasnt thinking quite that caliber or price range tbh and i think me and my ponio would be a bit beneath him anyways.
 
Rob Lumb is brilliant. Based near Cirencester and also does weekly clinics at Rectory Farm.
He used to event, was with the Becholsteimers for years.
He just seems to have the right approach to teaching and certainly got my son and his eventers back on track. Also did a great job on the horses when they stayed with him when said son was away skiing.
 
What about Isobel Wessels? I know your yard (I was there for 8 years) and I know Isobel trains someone at a nearby yard - she was based at Carl's old yard at Norton
 
Sue Edwards is a BE coach who as well as eventing to a high level has competed at gp dressage and has a really amazing insight into the way individual horses tick. Her approach is also very classical though- she can get the best out of any combination. Her contact details are on the BE website and she seems to travel all round the country.
 
Gosh I had one of the worst lessons ever with Sue Edwards and 3 of the people I shared with still talk about it in reverential terms as the worst lesson ever!
 
Natalie Allen is south Warwickshire (near Banbury) and she has trained a few eventers - she doesnt travel often though so you might have to go to her (does have a nice indoor though!). She trains with Carl so you get the benefit of his approach via his student.

For a more personal recommendation though I train with Liz Williams, she is young (although older than Natalie!) but has taken many quirky, non-dressage horses and turned them into incredible horses who she has had a lot of success with. She trains with Michael and Maria Eilberg so is a cheaper option than having lessons with one of them (they dont travel much either and are based in Redditch, south of Birmingham). Liz is based in Droitwich and does travel so I'm sure she'd come to you.

I havent been training with her for long but in the short time I've been having lessons she has done wonders for my mare who is a royal pain in the ass - her specialty is quirky horses, she has never had the money to buy ready made horses so she has had to produce them herself, often the ones that no-one else will touch. First lesson with Liz is £20 then £40 after that so a bargain really! Her details are on BD website if you want them.

Two other alternatives (both in Warwickshire so not sure about travelling but worth a try) - Richard Baldwin I have heard lots of good things about as a trainer and he is a very tough judge (he's judged me before) so should be good for a tough love approach! Henry Boswell trains a lot of people I know, I personally didnt love his lesson (was a bit too nice for my liking!) but he has done good things with a few people I know and their horses.

Hope this helps - there is nothing wrong with trying out a couple of trainers and picking the one you like best! I found Liz by reviewing LOADS of trainers and looking at their websites/facebook pages, really liked Liz's story as it appealed to me with my difficult mare and it has turned out really well. So if you find someone with a story you can relate to trust your gut feeling and go with them : )
 
I loved my session with Lizzie Murray - simple, practical approach which works!
 
Although not a pure dressage instructor have you thought of Neil Spratt in Swindon. 4* eventer and very good producer of young and quirky horses. Will happily get on and ride. The Greens have a young horse with him at the moment so well thought of in the right circles. You could always youtube some of his 4* dressage tests to get an idea.
 
Tina Sederholm is based near Oxford but travels. Her dad trained everyone who is anyone in eventing until the late 90s and she not only has the 3* competitive experience, she is also a really good teacher and clear communicator. Also will ride if appropriate.
 
Hi, I'd recommend Lotte Seal, near Bourton on the Water. She's produced her own horse to Grand Prix, her daughter show jumps and her husband runs a hunting yard, so she's used to all sorts of horses - not just your traditional warmbloods and does train a number of eventers competing at 2*/3*. She's really helped me with my super sharp youngster and I'd really recommend her. You can find her details on Facebook - Brockhill Farm Equestrian.
 
deskbound said:
I have a similar problem & am about to start auditioning trainers ;) - any recommendations Bucks / Oxon appreciated. I've heard good things of Lizzie Murray...
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Try Gareth Hughes - he only competes dressage now but he was very very good with my quirky ex-eventer. She made it to competing inter I and training PSG and he was one of the few trainers who really 'got' her.
 
def lizzie murray. she has william fox pitts and mary kings eventer s over the winter, i think people think william gets those horses imacculate on the flat! she helped me get a very average horse to intermediate,
 
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